FiRa Consortium seeks to revive UWB

28 August 2019 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

A new consortium has been launched in an effort to resurrect UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology, which gradually faded into obscurity following its initial release due mainly to its inability to compete with Wi- Fi.

The FiRa Consortium highlights UWB technology’s unique fine-ranging (FiRa) ability to deliver unprecedented accuracy when measuring the distance or determining the relative position of a target. Especially in challenging environments, UWB technology outperforms other technologies in terms of accuracy, power consumption, robustness in RF connection, and security.

Seeking to build on a strong foundation that supports interoperability among all categories of devices, the consortium was founded by four sponsor members: the ASSA ABLOY Group (which includes HID Global), NXP Semiconductors, Samsung Electronics and Bosch. Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, LitePoint and the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) are the first companies to join the newly-formed organisation.

The starting point for UWB technology is the IEEE standard 802.15.4/4z, which defines the essential characteristics for low-data-rate wireless connectivity and enhanced ranging. It is the aim of the FiRa Consortium to build on what the IEEE has already established, by developing an interoperability standard based on the IEEE’s profiled features, defining mechanisms that are out of scope of the IEEE standard, and pursuing activities that support rapid development of specific use cases.

Typical application areas that can benefit from UWB’s capabilities include seamless access control, location-based services and device-to-device (peer-to-peer) services. Due to its low power spectral density, UWB offers little to no interference with other wireless standards, so it is well suited for use with other wireless technologies, including near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. There are also adjacent markets that leverage UWB in other ways, especially automotive.

For more information visit www.firaconsortium.org

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